About the ATLS Program and Courses

Need

The doctor who first attends to the injured patient has the greatest opportunity to impact outcome

The price of injury is excessive in dollars as well as human suffering

Program

CME program developed by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma

One safe, reliable method for assessing and initially managing the trauma patient

Revised every four years to keep abreast of changes

Audience

Designed for doctors who care for injured patients

Standards for successful completion established for doctors

ACS verifies doctors' successful course completion

Benefits

An organized approach for evaluation and management of seriously injured patients

A foundation of common knowledge for all members of the trauma team

Applicable in both large urban centers and small rural emergency departments

Objectives

Assess the patient's condition rapidly and accurately

Resuscitate and stabilize the patient according to priority

Determine if the patient's needs exceed a facility's capabilities

Arrange appropriately for the patient's definitive care

Ensure that optimum care is provided

Courses

Student Course

Teaches medical core content in an interactive format

Hands-on skills sessions in simulated trauma settings

Successful completion status valid for 4 years from course date

Student Refresher Course

Provides doctors the opportunity to maintain a current status

½-day or 1-day course format

Content overview, triage scenarios, written and practical tests included

Instructor Course

Student Course participants identified as having instructor potential may advance to the Instructor Course within a specified time frame

Teaches the doctor how to teach the Advanced Trauma Life Support® (ATLS®) Student Course

Eligibility to participate is limited to doctors in countries where the program has been introduced and promulgated by the ACS

Accreditation

The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CME Credit

The American College of Surgeons designates this live activity for a maximum of * AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Of the AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ listed above, a maximum of * credits meet the requirements for Self-Assessment.

*The maximum number of credits varies depending on the type of ATLS course.

Instructor Reverification

Please contact the ATLS Program Office at 312-202-5160 or atls@facs.org to learn how to update to the 10th Edition.